ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Arpinder Singh on winning Gold in Men’s Triple Jump event
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Arpinder Singh on winning Gold in Men’s Triple Jump event at the 18th Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta - Palembang, Indonesia.
“Talented and hardworking, Arpinder Singh has secured the Gold in the Men's Triple Jump event. His performance has made every Indian happy”, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister greets Meghalaya on its Statehood Day
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today greeted the people of the state of Meghalaya on the occasion of its statehood day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “The people of Meghalaya are known for their kind and compassionate nature. From sports, music to conservation of nature, there is much to learn from them. Praying for Meghalaya’s development in the coming years.”
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways gears up to provide Covid Care Coaches to State Authorities
Presently, total 3816 coaches are available for the use as Covid Care Coaches; These Covid Care Coaches are being deployed as per demand by State Government
21 Covid Care Coaches have been deployed at Nandurbar District in Maharashtra; 47 patient admitted in these Covid Care Coaches
50 Covid Care Coaches at Shakur Basti, 25 at Anand Vihar, 10 at Varanasi, 10 at Bhadohi and 10 Covid Care Coaches at Faizabad deployed by Indian Railways
Indian Railways is making an all out effort to supplement the health care efforts of Government of India. Total 5601 train coaches were converted as Covid Care Centers by Indian Railway. Presently, total 3816 Coaches are available for the use as Covid Care Coaches. The Coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the Covid Care centers as per guidelines issued by MoHFW. These covid care coaches is being deployed as per demand by State Government.
As on 24th April 2021, 21 Covid Care Coaches have been deployed at Nandurbar District in Maharashtra under Western Railway. Total 47 patient have been admitted in these Covid Care Coaches.
Madhya Pradesh Government has requested Indian Railways to deploy 20 Covid Care Coaches at Bhopal and 20 Covid Care Coaches at Habibganj Railway Stations in West Central Railway. These Covid Care Coaches shall be operational & handed over to State Government from 25th April 2021.
In Northern Railway, 50 Covid Care Coaches at Shakur Basti, 25 Covid Care Coaches at Anand Vihar, 10 at Varanasi, 10 at Bhadohi and 10 Covid Care Coaches at Faizabad have been deployed by Indian Railways. Total 3 patient have been admitted in Covid Care Coaches placed at Shakur Basti.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates H. E. Ulf Kristersson on his election as the next Prime Minister of Sweden
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated H. E. Ulf Kristersson on his election as the next Prime Minister of Sweden.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations to H. E. Mr. Ulf Kristersson on his election as the next Prime Minister of Sweden. I look forward to working closely together to further strengthen our multi-faceted partnership."
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Balmer Lawrie and Co.Ltd leverages every change as an opportunity and remains profitable by strengthening core businesses, says C&MD.
Kolkata, September 12, 2018.
Balmer Lawrie and Company Ltd. has recorded net turnover of Rs. 1,797 crore during 2017-18 as against Rs. 1,779 crore in 2016-17 registering an increase of approximately 1%. The company has as well recorded a profit before tax of R. 261.12 crore in 2017-18 as against Rs. 254.11 crore in 2016-17. This was stated by Shri Prabal Basu, Chairman and Managing Director  Balmer Lawrie & Company at its 101st annual general meeting held in the city today. Shri Basu said that the increase is attributed to improved performance of various strategic business units , Travel, Vacations and higher dividend income earned during 2017-18.
Shri Basu stated that the company has completed 151 years of its existence and still becoming stronger. It has survived many challenges, reinvented itself and adapted to various changes in order to compete with the market. It leveraged every change as an opportunity and remained profitable by strengthening core businesses, foraying into new businesses and exiting those which were not doing well, he added.
Calling it the diversified PSU, Shri Basu said that industrial packaging unit  has managed to increase its volume over the last few years. A new manufacturing facility is being set up at Vadodara, Gujarat, which is expected to be commissioned shortly and will provide a significant edge to the SBU for further growth. He informed that greases and lubricants  unit has achieved an excellent growth of more than 25% in sales volume during 2017-18. During the current year, G&L has been able to maintain its overall performance in terms of production and sales as compared to the last year, he added. He said, considering the potential in cold chain logistics, the company has set up two temperature controlled warehouses, one at Hyderabad and other at Rai, Haryana. The third one at Patalganga near Mumbai is expected to be ready for commercial operation by end of 2018, he added and informed that the company is in the process of commissioning the Multi-Model Logistics Hub  at Visakhapatnam in partnership with Visakhapatnam Post Trust  for handling exim and domestic cargo.
Shri S.S.Khuntia, Director, Finance &CFO; Smt. Kavita Bhavsar, Company Secretary; Shri D. Sothi Salvam, Director, Manufacturing and Business; Shri K. Swaminathan, Director, Service Business, Smt. Ratna Sekhar Adikari, Director, HR&CA among others were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
A quantity of 3454429 Cotton Bales valuing Rs.10145.49 Crore has been procured benefitting 689510 Farmers
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pardesh, Maharashtra and Bihar with purchase of over 329.86 LMTs of paddy up to 03.12.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 275.98 LMT showing an increase of 19.52 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 329.86 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 202.77 LMT which is 61.47 % of total procurement.
About 31.78 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 62278.61 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.24 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 03.12.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 120626.22 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.649.50 Crores benefitting 68978 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 03.12.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Till 03.12.2020 a quantity of 3454429 cotton bales valuing Rs.10145.49 Crore has been procured benefitting 689510 farmers.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Param Vir Chakra Awardee Captain Bana Singh Nominated As Ambassador for ‘War Against Waste’ in Jammu & Kashmir
In a remarkable move to combat sanitation challenges in rural areas of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, J&K has announced the nomination of country’s highest gallantry awardee, the Param Vir Chakra recipient, Captain Bana Singh, a dedicated and decorated former soldier, as the ambassador for the "War Against Waste" initiative in Jammu & Kashmir. This was announced by the Director Rural Sanitation, J&K, Shri Charandeep Singh at Captain Bana Singh Stadium, R. S. Pura Jammu during an ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva  campaign.
SHS 2023 is being celebrated from 15th September to 2nd October aiming to generate mass movement through community participation to reinforce the concept of Sanitation as everyone’s business, and as a prelude for Swachh Bharat Diwas  with nationwide participation.
Theme of SHS-2023 is 'Garbage Free India' with focus on visual cleanliness and welfare of SafaiMitras. The focus of these swachhata drives is on high footfall public places like bus stands, railway stations, cantonment boards, beaches, tourist places, zoos, national parks and sanctuaries, historical monuments, heritage sites, river fronts, ghats, drains and nallahs.
Director Rural Sanitation, J&K, Shri Charandeep Singh said that the "War Against Waste" initiative aims to address the pressing issues of waste management and environmental conservation in rural J&K. The Param Vir Chakra Recipient Captain Bana Singh’s joining the cause will raise awareness, promote sustainable practices, and inspire local communities to actively participate in waste reduction and preservation of the J&K natural splendor.
Captain Singh, whose distinguished military service has been widely recognized for valor and dedication, now takes on a new mission - a mission to protect and preserve the pristine beauty of Jammu & Kashmir by leading the charge against waste and pollution. As the Ambassador for the "War Against Waste," Captain Bana Singh brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the cause. Having served on the front lines to defend the nation, his dedication to safeguarding the environment is unwavering.
While addressing a mammoth gathering here during SHS 2023 program, Captain Singh expressed his enthusiasm for this new role, saying, "Just as I dedicated my life to defending our country, I am now committed to defending our environment. Jammu & Kashmir's natural beauty is a national treasure, and we must ensure it remains pristine for generations to come."
Around 2000 people including students, sports persons, NCC cadet, PRIs, prominent people of adjoining areas, officials and shopkeepers participated in the Swachhata pledge followed a cycle race and painting competition. The director awarded the top performers of cycle race and painting competition.
Ministry of Finance
68% Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana accounts held by women entrepreneurs, availing 44% of sanctioned amount
Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana , institutional credit up to Rs. 10 lakh is provided by Member Lending Institutions  to micro/small entrepreneurs, including Women, for income generating activities in sectors such as manufacturing, trading, services and activities allied to agriculture. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
The Minister stated that as per data uploaded by MLIs on Mudra portal, as on 26.11.2021, the details of loans availed by Women entrepreneurs under the Scheme is as follows:-
|
|
|
|
No. of A/Cs 
|
|
Sanctioned Amount (in Rs.
Lakh crore)
|
|
All India
|
|
32.11
|
|
17.00
|
|
Out of which
|
|
Women Entrepreneurs
|
|
21.73
|
|
7.42
|
|
% share of Women
Entrepreneurs
|
|
68%
|
|
44%
The Minster stated that the Government allocates annual targets for the amount to be sanctioned under PMMY to MLIs i.e. Scheduled Commercial Banks , Regional Rural Banks , Non-Banking Financial Companies  and Micro Finance Institutions . For the current financial year , a target of sanction of Rs. 3 lakh crore has been fixed for MLIs. State/UT-wise and Gender-wise targets are not allocated by Government under PMMY.
Giving more details, the Minister stated that loans under the Scheme are extended by MLIs as per their commercial parameters, based on their Board-approved policy and extant Reserve Bank of India  guidelines which, inter-alia includes, viability of project, assessment of repayment capacity of the borrower etc. Any complaints received in respect of implementation of PMMY, including turning down of loan applications, are redressed in coordination with the respective banks.
The Minister listed a number of steps that have been taken to improve implementation of the Scheme which inter alia, include:
- handholding support for facilitating submission of loan applications;
- provision for online applications through psbloansin59minutes and udyamimitra portal;
- intensive publicity campaigns for increased visibility of the scheme amongst the stakeholders;
- simplification of application forms;
- nomination of Mudra Nodal Officers in Public Sector Banks ;
- periodic monitoring of performance of PSBs with regard to PMMY etc.
Special Service and Features
Five-day Academic Writing Workshop for the SC/ST Research Scholars and Early Academics
The Writing Centre, attached to the Centre for Dalit and Subaltern Studies, RGNIYD, hosted the official start of a five-day academic writing workshop for SC/ST research scholars and early academics on July 24, 2023 at 10 a.m. Dr. S. Lalitha, the Centre for Dalit and Subaltern Studies coordinator, emphasised the workshop's objectives at the time. In order to facilitate writing workshops for SC/ST Research Scholars and Early Academics around the country, she said that the Writing Centre was funded by the British Academy of the United Kingdom through the King's College, London to the RGNIYD. The inauguration address was given by Rev. F. Dr. Selvaraj Arul Nathan S.J., Director of the Indian Social Institute in Bangalore in his speech, he underlined that the development of ideas—specifically, what the author intends to say about society—is the most important aspect of academic writing. He insisted that writing should be coherent and include the setting in which the idea first appears. Additionally, the perspective and purpose of the writing are important in terms of the kind of impact that the writing will have on society. Understanding your audience is crucial. He cited that through his enormous body of writing, Dr. Ambedkar contributed to society Especially the Annihilation of Caste, where he dared to present the situation of the underprivileged from an insider's perspective with the goal of emancipating the marginalised for self-liberation. Prof. Pramodh from the School of Humanities at Indira Gandhi Open University in New Delhi focused on the technical aspects of writing in his congratulatory speech. The presidential remarks were made by Dr. Sharmistha Bhattarcharjee, Dean of academics, while the special address was made by Dr. Thiagarajan, Dean of research. The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Pratheesh, a Fellow at the CDSS Writing Centre. Participants in the programme included personnel and students from RGNIYD, as well as 30 research scholars from different regions of the country.
Ministry of Home Affairs
International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to begin tomorrow
An International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure  will be inaugurated here tomorrow. The two-day workshop is being organised by the National Disaster Management Authority  in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction , and in partnership with the Global Commission on Adaptation, United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.
The workshop aims to i) identify good practices of disaster risk management in key infrastructure sectors, ii) identify specific areas and pathways for collaborative research on DRI , iii) discuss and co-create the broad contours of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure  as well as a notional roll-out plan for the next three years, and iv) build a forum for members to work on areas of common interest and make specific commitments.
It will bring together countries from different parts of the world, multilateral development banks, UN agencies, academia and research institutions, the private sector, academics and policy think tanks to discuss and collaborate on promoting policies and practices towards achieving disaster resilience of large infrastructure systems . This will also be a great opportunity to learn from the unique experiences of different countries.
Various international agreements have also reiterated the importance and long-term benefits of investing in resilient infrastructure. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction , 2015-2030, which is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda, identifies investing in Disaster Risk Reduction  for resilience and to build back better in reconstruction as priorities for action towards reducing disaster risk. Similarly, Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals  recognizes disaster resilient infrastructure as a crucial driver of economic growth and development.
Besides reducing infrastructure losses, disaster resilient infrastructure will also help achieve targets pertaining to reduction in mortality, number of affected people and economic losses due to disasters.
The first International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure  was held in January 2018. This workshop will further build upon some of the ideas generated at the IWDRI 2018 as a crucial milestone towards the establishment of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure . The CDRI is envisaged as a knowledge exchange and capacity development partnership. India announced the creation of a CDRI soon after the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held in New Delhi in 2016.
For details about the Workshop and the proposed Coalition, please visit the Workshop website: https://resilientinfra.org/iwdri/about.php.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses on the occasion of Dharma Chakra Day
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today delivered a video address on the occasion of inauguration of Dharma Chakra Day. The International Buddhist Confederation , under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is celebrating Asadha Poornima on July 4, 2020, as Dharma Chakra Day. This day commemorates Gautam Buddha's First Sermon to his first five ascetic disciples at the Deer Park, Rsipatana in the present day Sarnath near Varanasi, UP. The day is also celebrated by Buddhists all over the world as the day of Dharma Chakra Parvattana or “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”.
Prime Minister conveyed his greetings on Ashadha Poornima, also known as Guru Purnima, and also paid homage to Lord Buddha. He expressed happiness that copies of Mongolian Kanjur are being presented to the Government of Mongolia.
Prime Minister talked about the teaching of Lord Buddha and about the eight-fold path which shows the way towards the well-being of many societies and nations. He noted that Buddhism teaches respect for people, women, poor, for peace and non-violence and these teachings are the means to a sustainable planet.
Prime Minister said that Lord Buddha spoke about hope and purpose and saw a strong link between the two. He spoke about how he is hopeful about the 21st century, and this hope springs from the youth. He underlined that India has one of the largest start-up ecosystems where bright young minds are finding solutions to global problems.
Prime Minister said that the world today is fighting extraordinary challenges, lasting solutions to which can come from the ideals of Lord Buddha. He spoke about the need to connect more people with Buddhist heritage sites and enhance connectivity to these sites. He also mentioned about the recent Cabinet decision to declare Kushinagar Airport in UP as an International Airport, which would facilitate the travel of pilgrims and tourists, while also giving a boost to the economy in the region.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways in a race against time to make In-house PPE overall
Railways strives to make up to 1000 such protective overall for Railway Doctors & Paramedics every day
As a need of the hour gesture, Railways is considering to supply 50% of the overalls to other medical professionals on the front line
Jagadhari based Railway workshop was the first to make such an overall . Around 17 railway workshops are now gearing up to do so
(Indian Railways has taken up the in-house production of PPE type overall on a mission mode. An overall produced by Jagadhari workshop was recently cleared by a DRDO lab, authorised for the purpose. Approved design and material will now be used for making this protective overall by other workshops under different zones. This PPE overall will offer much needed protection to Railway Doctors and paramedics working on the front line of COVID care at hospitals of Railways.
Facilities are being geared up in Railways to make up to 1000 such protective overall for Railway Doctors & Paramedics every day. Around 17 workshops would be striving to contribute to this exercise.
Railways is considering to supply 50% of the innovated PPE garment to other medical professionals of the country.
Material for all the overalls is being procurred centrally at Jagadhari which is located near many big textile industries in Punjab.
In the days to come, the production facilities can be further ramped up. The development of this overall and innovation by Indian Railways is being welcomed by other Government agencies engaged in the war against COVID.
Technical specifications of these PPEs are now ready, and material suppliers are in place. Now the production can start in right earnest. This development is big boost to equip our doctors and paramedics on the front line of this battle against Covid -19.
Indian Railways is aiming to produce three sets per sewing machine per hour for as many days as required in its Production Units & Workshops.
It may be noted this internal effort of Railways is over and above a centralised request projected to Government of India and also indicated to HLL through Indent.
Development of this kind of PPE in a quick time can set a benchmark for others to follow and this will help boost the production of one the most vital protection for those on the front line.